Word Origin & History

accidentally late 14c., "non-essentially," from accidental, from Fr. accidental, from M.L. accidentalis, from L. accidens (gen. accidentis); see accident. Meaning "unintentionally" is recorded from 1580s; phrase accidentally on purpose is recorded from 1862.

Example Sentences for accidentally

He said he was out hunting with a friend, and his friend's gun went off accidentally.

When accidentally struck by the janitor's broom, he gives off a cloud of dust.

The eldest of these is accidentally killed by the second, 2440.

Perhaps we may come upon it accidentally in the course of the play.

I am in no hurry for all, or any of these, but if you accidentally meet with them very-cheap, get them for me.

On accidentally examining these cards, Essper detected they were marked.

In the early copies of 1893 this line was accidentally omitted.

We have no right to connect statements which are only accidentally similar.

Jackson made a brusque movement, and accidentally touched the guitar.

That confounded Versoy shoved his nose into that business; he says accidentally.